Where The Emo Things Are?

[blockaderunner]

Like many of you, I've read Where The Wild Things Are as a kid and read it to my own kids. And like most of you, I was initially blown away by the trailers of Spike Jonez's adaptation of the book. I was convinced that This was a near adaptation of the book, until I reread the book and, more importantly, I rewatched the old Peter Schickele narrated animated short. One thing came to my mind after experiencing these things again: Where is Jim Henson when you need him.

His style and tasted would have been right up the alley of this book. Not neccessarily in the mechanics of puppetry (which seem fine), but the tone and spirit. I'd envisioned a WTWTA move along the lines of the manic energy and heart of the early Muppet movies without any wussy indie rock. What Jonez is presenting to us a world of creatures that seem morose, melancholy, and depressing. And any display of wildness is about as convincing as that new Miracle Whip commercial (How can anyone be that excited about mayonaise??). It doesn't seem like a world I'd want to escape to.

I only imagine that a WTWTA movie, with someone like Frank Oz at the helm and the full backing of Henson would have been a thing of beauty. This seems like it was targeted for generation of readers born after 1990. But what do you think?

 

[RoJoHen]

I actually re-read the book a couple weeks ago when I saw it at Target. It took roughly 30 seconds.

The kid in me must be dead because I really didn't get it. The trailer looks amazing to me, though.

 

[Archangel]

Like many of you, I've read Where The Wild Things Are as a kid and read it to my own kids. And like most of you, I was initially blown away by the trailers of Spike Jonez's adaptation of the book. I was convinced that This was a near adaptation of the book, until I reread the book and, more importantly, I rewatched the old Peter Schickele narrated animated short. One thing came to my mind after experiencing these things again: Where is Jim Henson when you need him.

His style and tasted would have been right up the alley of this book. Not neccessarily in the mechanics of puppetry (which seem fine), but the tone and spirit. I'd envisioned a WTWTA move along the lines of the manic energy and heart of the early Muppet movies without any wussy indie rock. What Jonez is presenting to us a world of creatures that seem morose, melancholy, and depressing. And any display of wildness is about as convincing as that new Miracle Whip commercial (How can anyone be that excited about mayonaise??). It doesn't seem like a world I'd want to escape to.

I only imagine that a WTWTA movie, with someone like Frank Oz at the helm and the full backing of Henson would have been a thing of beauty. This seems like it was targeted for generation of readers born after 1990. But what do you think?

Why not, adult shows are all trying to be all dark, gritty, and depressing.

We must indoctrinate the children early, life sucks.

 

[ToddKent]

I actually re-read the book a couple weeks ago when I saw it at Target. It took roughly 30 seconds.

The kid in me must be dead because I really didn't get it. The trailer looks amazing to me, though.

I had the exact same experience. I never read it as a child and took a look at it in the book store. 29 seconds later I said, "This is what all the fuss is about?"

 

[Mistral]

I actually re-read the book a couple weeks ago when I saw it at Target. It took roughly 30 seconds.

The kid in me must be dead because I really didn't get it. The trailer looks amazing to me, though.

I had the exact same experience. I never read it as a child and took a look at it in the book store. 29 seconds later I said, "This is what all the fuss is about?"

I guess you had to be there.

 

[RoJoHen]

See, I actually did read it as a child, and I remember loving it. But now I have no idea why.

 

[Chaos Descending]

I loved it as a child, and STILL love it.

 

[RoJoHen]

I just don't get it at all. I mean, there isn't even a story! The kid goes to this land of wild things, there's a rumpus, and then he goes home because he smells his dinner? Really?

 

[Peter the Younger]

Well the book is basically about a kid processing their anger, it's pretty basic to adults because - hopefully - we all know how to do that. But to a kid brain, the idea that "I'm angry at Mom, I stomp around, I get over it, oh, mom has made me dinner and still loves me" is a pretty significant step, in terms of self awareness.

As for the Spike Jonze film, it's obviously got to expand beyond the, and it looks like they encompass Max's awareness of his own emotions in general. Whether that works or not, I dunno. I'll have to wait until see it. Dave Eggers wrote the screenplay, and he's pretty damn bright, but he's definitely of the emo generation.

I will admit, I do love the trailer. But then, I'm a big Arcade Fire fan, so it was easy for the trailer to manipulate me.

 

[RoJoHen]

I will admit, I do love the trailer. But then, I'm a big Arcade Fire fan, so it was easy for the trailer to manipulate me.

I never listened to Arcade Fire before, but that song is definitely what makes the trailer as awesome as it is. I really hope the movie lives up.

 

[Meredith]

I am going to reserve judgment on this till I see the film.

 

[blockaderunner]

Arcade Fire? Karen O And The Kids? The WTWTA movie in my head has some Butthole Surfers and Primus and they're roasting Karen O and the members of Arcade Fire on a spit.

 

[Nick Ryder]

Butthole Surfers... whoa dude I haven't heard THAT name in a long time. Not since like the mid 1990s!

They wouldn't roast Karen O, they'd just eat her raw like sushi... there's no meat on them bones anyway. She's a snack at best.

 

[Michael Chris]

I don't remember the book, but I do love me some good wussy indie rock.

 

[darthraidr]

I am going to reserve judgment on this till I see the film.

?? this is the internet... you are supposed to judge as many things as you can with as little information as possible...

 

[RoJoHen]

I am going to reserve judgment on this till I see the film.

?? this is the internet... you are supposed to judge as many things as you can with as little information as possible...

That's just something people say to make themselves feel better than other people.

 

[Random_Spock]

I am going to reserve judgment on this till I see the film.

That's pretty much where I stand in terms of this film. It looks like it's going to be ok from what I've seen so far preview wise. But you never know, until it comes out in theaters.

 

[blockaderunner]

I've been reading the reviews and it was just as I feared. This is a WTWTA movie made for the stubbly, scarf wearing, tight jeaned, Hot Topic shopping, weeping emo set. I'm not saying that it's not a good movie, just that it probably wasn't made for me, as are alot of really good movies made. I think I had a glimpse of my WTWTA movie in the Dance Magic Dance number in Labyrinth. Oh well, It could have been worse.

 

[Level 2 Diagnostic]

I am going to reserve judgment on this till I see the film.

Do you reserve judgment on all movies until you see them? If so you must be spending a hell of a lot of money to see every single movie that gets released.

 

[davejames]

Sorry, but as much as I love the Muppets, I never really imagined this story as some kind of manic, Muppet-style movie.

It's hard to know for sure until I see it, but from the reviews and clips I've seen, Jonze's slightly wistful, melancholy tone seems a lot more fitting somehow. And the idea that it's all filmed in a gritty, realistic way instead of as some big Tim Burtonesque fantasy really appeals to me too.

If nothing else, it's a much more interesting choice than any of the alternatives.